Margaret Ellen (Hetherington) Stewart left this world on her last great adventure on October 9, 2019 at 94, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born in Los Angeles, California, November 8, 1924, to Ruth and Maurice Hetherington, both of pioneer Arizona families, and returned as an infant to spend her life in Arizona.
She graduated from North Phoenix High School, Phoenix Community College and Pomona College. She married her rancher husband, John William (Jack) Stewart, son of two pioneer Arizona families and lived on several central and northern Arizona ranches. They raised their four children, Nancy, John William (Bill), James Robert (Jimmy), and Marianne, until finally returning to Phoenix where Jack was affiliated with the Valley National Bank.
Margaret was a 75-year member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, serving as state president in 1991-2, she worked professionally as Director of Program Services with the Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council (formerly Maricopa County Council) for over 25 years. During her life on the ranch she started Girl Scouting in both Holbrook and Camp Verde. She was active in Church of the Beatitudes, Arizona First Families, Cattle growers auxiliary Cowbelles, and Maybes.
She loved to travel and took each of her grandchildren on a trip as well as her Girl Scout troops, visiting many sites on six continents. Many happy summers and holidays were spent at her family cabin at Iron Springs near Prescott.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Jack, her two older children; Nancy Snitzer and Bill Stewart, and is survived by her two younger children; Jim Stewart (Susan) and Marianne Stewart McCabe, her daughter-in-law; Vicki Stewart Merchant and son-in-law; Jim Snitzer, twelve grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 1:00 PM at The Beatitudes Campus, 1610 W. Glendale, Phoenix.
Diane McDaniel
Margaret was significant in my life as she was in many others. I enjoyed traveling with her, she was a valued P.E.O. sister, and a good friend. Losing Margaret is like losing some of the light in the room.
Peggy and Byron McGough
Such a very special lady, mentor and friend. I learned about putting alcohol on a band aid and placing it on a splinter that would not give up. One of her many gems of Scouting she shared. Then there were the Docents from the Museum and their brandy bites. Oh my gosh! So many very special memories – we were blessed to have our paths cross.
Shirley Langer
Margaret was one my first friends after moving to PHX from CA. She welcomed me into P.E.O. Chapter AA and continued to be a good friend through the years. Such a delightful lady. Shirley Langer
Frank Barrios
Margaret was a wonderful lady and will be missed. My prayers go out to Margaret and to all her family. I will be out of town and will not be able to attend the services but will be there in spirit.
Frank Barrios
Wally and Val Martin
Wally and Val Martin offer their sincere condolences to the family on the loss of dear Margaret. Wally first met Margaret in 1944 when he was a cadet at Falcon Field Air Base, Mesa and her mother, Ruth Hetherington, would come to the camp at every new intake and offer hospitality to British cadets. This was the beginning of a friendship which has lasted 75 years. Now we are going to greatly miss the thought and knowledge that Margaret is no longer at Beatitudes or at 6830 N 2nd Place or at the cabin in Iron Springs, to offer us the same hospitality that her mother offered to Wally all those years ago.